Tifton 85 Bermudagrass

Complete Description and Detailed Characteristics

Tifton 85 Bermudagrass is a new hybrid developed by the USDA-ARS in cooperation with th University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiement Station, Tifton, GA. It was released in May, 1992 to certified growers, of which we are. It is a cross between a plant introduction from South Africa and Tifton 68, a highly digestible, but cold-susceptible hybrid. It does not produce seed.

Tifton 85 is taller, has larger stems with broader leaves, and a darker green color than Coastal Bermudagrass. It is higher in quality that Coastal as well. It has larger rhizomes and very large stolons (above-ground runners) that spread rapidly and quickly to cover the ground. Tifton 85 can be established from either sprigs or top growth material. (For planting option, see our sprigging service information.) Cold tolerance of Tifton 85 is less than that of Coastal.

Our studies have indicated that Tifton 85 can produce 26 percent more forage that was 11 percent more digestible than Coastal. Tifton 85 may be the fastest producing, highest yielding Bermudagrass released to date. Tifton 85, like other Bermudagrass varieties, requires water and adequate fertilizer to produce optimum yields of forage for hay or grazing. These observatoins do not reflect maximum yeild potential of Tifton 85, which could be greater with more evenly distributed rainfall and increased Nitrogen fertilizer applications. Tifton 85 should be highly productive on sandy, well-drained soils.

Tifton 85 quality may decrease rapidly as it matures after four to five weeks, therefore, producers should harvest within 3-to-5-week intervals, depending upon weather conditions. Tifton 85 has the potential to produce as much hay in three to four weeks as Coastal produces in six weeks of growth.

*Information was gathered from our own observations and experiences, as well as the Agronomy Departments of the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.